Special Coverage

Another chance for also-rans

AUBURN, Wash. - Pacific Reign and Got You Slew, the second- and third-place finishers in a similar race on May 25, could be the ones to beat in Saturday's top offering at Emerald Downs, a 6 1/2 furlong test for $32,000 fillies and mares that has drawn a competitive cast of nine.

Pacific Reign and Got You Slew were victims of pace in their most recent outing, as Maid in the Moon grabbed a clear lead with a leisurely quarter-mile in 22.60 seconds, then held steady to the wire in a nifty 1:15.60 for 6 1/2 furlongs. Though Pacific Reign finished willingly to be beaten only a little over a length and Got You Slew closed for third, 2 1/2 lengths farther back, neither could seriously challenge a front-runner who entered the stretch with a full tank of gas.

If Saturday's field stays intact, Pacific Reign and Got You Slew should not have the same problem. The line-up includes Sophisticated Slew, Personal Decision, and Exclusive Molly, all extremely fast fillies who have done their best running on the lead.

Another who would likely benefit from a fast and contested pace is Icicle Angel, who is dropping from the $40,000 optional claiming level after just missing to the Anazeha on May 27, when both were clocked in 1:09 for six furlongs.

Saturday's headliner will go as the ninth of 10 live races slated to get under way at 1 p.m.

The simulcast menu for Saturday will feature War Emblem's quest for the Triple Crown in the Belmont Stakes, which is slated to go off at 3:10 Pacific.